How far is South Bel Air, MD from Potomac Heights, MD?
The driving distance from South Bel Air, MD to Potomac Heights, MD is about 89.9 miles (144.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.1 miles (124 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 10m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain then Cloudy
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Bel Air and Potomac Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bel Air and Potomac Heights.
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1
Start on South Shamrock Road
1811 ft · 1 min · South Shamrock Road
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto East MacPhail Road
1341 ft · 45 sec · East MacPhail Road
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3
Turn left onto South Main Street
151 m · 14 sec · South Main Street
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4
Continue on Emmorton Road
3158 ft · 1 min · Emmorton Road
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5
Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road
3105 ft · 2 min · West Ring Factory Road
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6
Turn left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
3.9 mi · 6 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Baltimore
1 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
8.1 mi · 9 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes
6.5 mi · 8 min · Express Toll Lanes
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes
1.2 mi · 2 min · Express Toll Lanes
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11
Merge slight right onto Harbor Tunnel Thruway
3.8 mi · 5 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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12
Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
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13
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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14
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2567 ft · 40 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2671 ft · 42 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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16
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward MD 295 South: Essex, BWI Marshall Airport
2423 ft · 59 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
27.1 mi · 37 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Richmond, Annapolis
2902 ft · 35 sec
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20
Continue on Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
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21
Continue on Anacostia Freeway
8.4 mi · 13 min · Anacostia Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Indian Head
1.6 km · 2 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on MD 210 South
1391 ft · 34 sec
-
24
Merge slight left onto Indian Head Highway
9.6 mi · 14 min · Indian Head Highway
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25
Continue on Indian Head Highway
7.6 mi · 12 min · Indian Head Highway
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26
Turn right onto Glymont Road
1.1 km · 2 min · Glymont Road
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27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Greenwood Avenue
33 m · 5 sec · Greenwood Avenue
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28
Exit the roundabout onto Greenwood Avenue
101 m · 15 sec · Greenwood Avenue
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Greenwood Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Bel Air and Potomac Heights.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
27.1 mi · 00h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Light Rain then Cloudy leaving South Bel Air and Light Rain Likely near Potomac Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Bel Air to Potomac Heights?
The road trip is about 89.9 miles (144.6 km) and usually takes 02h 10m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Maryland City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.9 miles from South Bel Air and 44.9 miles from Potomac Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.1 miles (124 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.38 one way or $26.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Cloudy around South Bel Air and Light Rain Likely near Potomac Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Maryland City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maryland City.
BWI Rail Station
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Bel Air and Potomac Heights. Straight-line distance: 77.04 mi (123.98 km).
#1 South Bel Air
A census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
| Population | 48,828 |
| Coordinates | 39.5331600, -76.3374600 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Potomac Heights
Census designated place
| Population | 1,117 |
| Coordinates | 38.6087300, -77.1405300 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Potomac Heights (-77.14053, 38.60873)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 145 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.22 | $13.38 | $26.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.84 | $15.33 | $30.66 |
| Premium | $5.18 | $16.41 | $32.82 |
| Diesel | $6.49 | $20.59 | $41.17 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Maryland · Sep 23, 2026